Dear Editor,
I wish to respond to an article in the Stabroek News of July 01, 2010 captioned `Sport fishing to be reeled in’.
Your reporter was highlighting what was said at this event, and not being present myself I can only respond to what is in the article.
I have been sport fishing for over forty years. I have taken my sons and daughter fishing, other friends’ sons and daughters from a tender age – to enjoy the healthy outdoor life. To introduce them to our environment which we have to cherish and which they have to respect and preserve. And not litter. Away from bars and clubs and temptation of drugs, etc.
Most of us do not over fish and do practise “catch and release” and use one for the ever present “pot of metemgee”. Most of us respect the protected areas and do not fish for profit.
We must move away from a mind-set where the only relaxation is to sit at a bar and imbibe, flaunt our new wealth and whatever goes with it. That is not life.
I am now seventy-three years old and will continue to go fishing with my sons and friends and continue to share with them those values which make all of us better equipped in whatever fields we are in.
What may need some scrutiny is the indiscriminate use of nets in our creeks and rivers, the continuing pollution of our creeks and rivers by dredges and land mining – all leading to a wanton decimation of our aquatic species.
What may also need attention are the trawlers which supposedly go out fishing – some do fish – but dump unwanted species. Some are fitted with tanks – not necessarily refrigerated and which do explode!
And finally where does the development of a Tourism Industry fit in all of this?
Any cursory examination of any tourism brochure around the world would highlight how much needed foreign exchange is generated from a healthy sport-fishing activity.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Bud Mangal
